Parliament: Foreign Affairs: Patten and Kinnock face threat to jobs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CHRIS PATTEN or Neil Kinnock could lose his seat as a European commissioner in proposals to be considered by member states at the EU summit in Helsinki, Robin Cook said yesterday. The Foreign Secretary said the Government would cut its number of posts from two to one if other member states agreed to reform the EU voting system to give Britain more power.
Mr Cook, opening a Commons debate on next week's summit, said prospective enlargement by six countries would not increase the size of the commission. "Britain recognises the importance of each member state attaches to retaining a seat in the European Commission," he said.
"There is a practical limit to how big the commission can become and remain efficient. That is why all the larger member states are willing to concede their right to a second seat on the commission."
Britain, France and Germany among other states, would be prepared to concede one of their posts in return for getting a guaranteed larger share of the vote in the decision-making Council of Ministers.
The Tories said the loss of one seat would be a "big sacrifice for us to make".
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments